Hinge assembly for box construction



Feb. 27, 1968 J. o. BURMAN HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed July 11, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 s W n W 1 1 i Feb. 27, 1968 J.O. BURMAN 3,370,778

HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR BOX CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 11, 1966 I NVENTOR. .flkf Yfi QBzr-wzrz W VM iffy/776 751 United States Patent 3,370,778 HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR BOX CONSTRUCTION Joseph 0. Burman, Attleboro, Mass, assignor to Progressive Machinery Corp., Attleboro, Mass a corporation of Massachusetts Filed July 11, 1966, Ser. No. 564,397

' 3 Claims. (Cl. 229-44) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A box construction in which a hinge assembly is mounted, the hinge assembly including hinge members from which prongs are struck, the prongs having penetrating ends that are generally aligned with the portion of the hinge member from which they are struck prior to mounting of the hinge assembly in place, thereby providing for flush engagement of the hinge members with the walls on which they are secured, prior to penetration of the penetrating ends into said walls.

The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for a box construction. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hinge assembly comprising pivotally connected hinge members from the body portions of which a plurality of prongs are struck, the prongs including reversely bent penetrating edges that are adapted to engage the rear walls of a box construction for mounting the hinge assembly thereon.

Although the present invention has application and use with boxes formed of materials other than cardboard, such as plastic, the basic concept of the invention is adapted for particular use with lightweight boxes such as those used for the display of ornamental articles of jewelry and that are fabricated of a material such as cardboard. Prior to the instant invention, hinge assemblies for use with cardboard boxes were normally mounted on the rear walls of the box sections by striking projections out of the hinge members and extending the struck-out projections through the rear walls of the box sections,

' thereby mounting the hinge assembly in place. Because these prior known hinge assemblies included projections that were directly struck out of the hinge members, the usual assembly procedure required that these projections be forced against the walls of the box construction, which operation caused the projections to penetrate or pierce completely through the box walls. Because these projections did extend through the walls of the box sections, an additional assembly operation. was required, wherein the points of the, projections had to be turned over after which the box sections were covered with a sheet of material such as paper, plastic or leather.

The present invention defines an improvement over the prior known hinge assemblies and includes a construction wherein a plurality of prongs are struck out of the hinge members, but are then turned in a reverse direction that is opposite to the first direction of movement of the prongs so that penetrating ends of the prongs are directed back into the opening from which the prongs are struck. The prong penetrating edges, after fabrication of the hinge members thus lie in a plane that is coincident-with the plane of the hinge members from which the prongs arestruck. This arrangement provides for locating the hinge members in flush engagement with the walls on which .they are adapted to be mounted, the penetrating edges of the prongs being disposed such that they may conveniently enter these walls upon the application of pressure thereto. Because the prongs are bent in a reverse direction with respect to the direction from which they were first struck out of the hinge members, the penetrating edges have a curved configuration so that,

. 3,370,773 Patented Feb. 27, 1968 when pressure is applied to the prongs, the penetrating edges are turned inwardly in the cardboard in a direction away from the rearmost surface of the box walls. The prongs are thus embedded in the box walls and are prevented from penetrating through the walls in which they are inserted. As will be described, the formation of the prongs of the hinge assembly further enables the hinge assembly to be disposed in the slot of a plastic box construction, whereby removal therefrom is prevented.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge assembly for a box construction which includes a plurality of prongs formed with penetrating edges that are adapted to enter the walls of the box construction On which the hinge assembly is mounted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge assembly for use in a display box that includes hinge members out of which mounting prongs are bIanked, the prongs being turned in a first direction during the blanking out operation, the outer ends then being turned in a second direction to define penetrating edges for mounting the hinge assembly on walls of the display box.

Still another object is to teach a method of forming a hinge assembly by which a plurality of prongs are formed with penetrating edges for mounting the hinge assembly on the walls of a box.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box construction in the open position thereof and in which the hinge assembly of the present invention is mounted;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the box construction illustrated in FIG. 1 and as shown in the closed position thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hinge assembly embodied herein with the spring member removed therefrom;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional viewof a portion of a hinge member showing the first step in the formation of an attaching prong therein;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hinge assembly showing the reverse side thereof;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the hinge'assembly in the mounted position thereof in the interior of the 'boxillustratedin FIG. 1 and in the closed position: of

the box'sections;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of box construction illustrating the hinge assembly of the present invention mounted therein;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the hinge assembly that is mounted in the box shown in FIG; 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a portion of the box construction illustrated in FIG. 9 and showing one of the hinge members of the hinge assembly in the mounted 'position thereof and the other hinge member prior to "shipping and display of small articles of jewelry. It is I understood that the box construction as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be of any size and configuration and may be utilized for containing articles other than .jewelry. As. shown, the box construction includes a base .or bottom section generally indicated at 12 and that is defined by abottom wall 14, vertical side walls 16 and 18, a front wall 20, and a rear wall 22. Cooperating with the bottom section 12 to define the complete box construction 10 is a cover or top section generally indicated at 24 that includes a top wall 26, side walls 28 and 30, a front wall 32, and a rear wall 34. As illustratedin FIGSUI through 8, the material from which the box sections 12 and 24 are fabricated is preferably of a lightweight cardboard, this material providing for the accommodation of the hinge assembly to be described bly embodied in the present invention is generally indicated at 34 and includes a hinge plate 36 that is adapted to be pivotally interconnected to a corresponding hinge plate 38. The hinge plates 36 and 38 are formed with the conventional lugs or knuckles 40 and 42, respectively, through which a hinge pin 44 extends for pivotally interconnecting the hinge plates. Grooves 46 and 48 are further formed in the hinge plates or members 36 and 38 for receiving the opposed ends of a spring member (not shown) that is employed for biasing the box sections to a closed position after securement of the hinge assembly to the box sections.

Either before or after assembly of the hinge members 36 and 38 in their hinging relation, the body portions of the hinge members are blanked or stamped out to define a plurality of prongs generally indicated at 50. In the initial step of forming the prongs 50, any conventional punching tool may be employed and is directed against the surface of the body portions, of the hinge members in a manner as indicated by the arows in FIG. 5 to form tapered prongs that are bent in a direction in accordance with the force applied thereto. As seen in FIG. 5, the punching tool strikes the metal material from which the hinge members are fabricated, stamping out the metal and in so doing forming a prong on which a sharp edge indicated at 52 is formed. Blanked out of the hinge members 36 and 38, the prongs 50 define openings 54, each prong comprising a first portion 56 that is attached to its respective hinge member and that extends in a direction that follows the movement of V the punching tool. Contrary to the prior known prongs or projections associated with spring hinges of the type illustrated in the present invention, the outer ends of the prongs 50 indicated at 58 are thereafter bent in a direction that'is opposite to that of the portions 56. Thus, as seen in FIG. 4, the sharply formed ends 52 of the prongs 50 are rever'sely turned into the openings 54 and are located in generally coplanar relation with respect to the body portion of the hinge members from .which they are formed. The sharply formed edges 52 prongs 5%) are normally located such that the penetrat- Since the portions 58 of the prongs 50- are turned or curved as seen in FIG. 4, when a force is applied to the prongs, the penetrating edges 52 enter the cardboard materiaI of the box section walls and are curved.therein tion of the prongs 50 in the manner as illustrated and described provides for positive securement of the hinge ing edges thereof are disposed in coplanar relation with respect to the hinge members from which they are formed, the hinge members may be placed in flush fitting engagement against the surface of the walls to which the hinge assembly is to be mounted. In contrast with the prior known constructions, the'reversely turned struckout prongs 50 do not force the wall, "against which a hinge member is placed, away from the surface of the hinge member. This relationship is illustrated in FIG. 4

where the hinge assembly is shown in flush engagement against the walls 22 and 34 prior to movement of the reversely turned prongs Shinto embedded relation within the walls. With the hinge members of the hinge assembly 34 disposed in the flush engagement against the Walls 22 and 34 as illustrated, the prongs 50 are forced 7 into engagement with the walls to cause the penetrating edges 52 thereof to enter the walls for embedding therein, as illustrated in FIG. 6 and described above.

As further seen in FIG. 3, the penetrating edges .52 of the inner prongs 50 are directed away from the hinge axis of the hinge members while the penetrating edges of the outer prongs are formed adjacent to the hinge axis. This staggering of the location of the pron-g penetrating edges provides for securement of the hinge assembly over a wider surface area and thereby more firmly attaches the hinge assembly to the box walls.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 12, a modified form of box construction generally indicated at 60 is illustrated and includes a bottom section generally indicated at 62 and a top section generally indicated at 64. The bottom and top sections 62 and 64 of the box construction 60 are preferably formed of a plastic material,.wherein the walls thereof are molded in a unitary construction. In this connection, the bottom section 62 includes a bottom wall 66, side walls 68 and 70, a front wall 72, and arear wall 74. The top section 64 is similarly formed and includes a top wall 76, side walls 78 and 80, a front wall 82, and a rear wall 84. The rear walls 74 and 84 of the bottom and top sections,'respectively, are adapted to receive a hinge assembly generally indicated at 86 that is formed substantially identical to the hinge assembly 34 described hereinabove. In this connection the hinge assembly 86 includes pivotally mounted hinge members 88 and 90 out of which a plurality of reversely curved penetrating prongs 106 are formed in the manner as described above. In order to receive the hinge members 88 and 90 of the hinge assembly 86 in engaging relation in the rear walls 74 and 84, these Walls are formed with appropriate slots during the molding of the box sections. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, slots 92 and 94 are shown formed in the rear walls 74 and 84, respectively, and, as illustrated particularly in FIG. 12, opposed grooves 96 and 98 are formed in the surfaces for receiving a spring member 104 that is normally utilized with the type of hinge assembly illustrated herein. In this connection, the hinge members 88 and 90 are formed with appropriate grooves 100 g and 102'for receiving the spring member 104.

Although the hinge assembly 86 is formed substantially similar to the hinge assembly 34, the 'reversely turned prongs 106 formed in the hinge members 88 and 90 are all disposed such that the' penetrating edges thereof are directed toward the hinge axis of the hinge assembly. This is distinct from the manner in which the hinge assembly 34 is formed wherein the centrally located prongs 50 are formed in the hinge members 36 and 38 such that the penetrating edges thereof are directed towardthe outermost edges of the hinge members.

In the assembly of the hinge assembly 86 to the walls 74 and 84 of the box sections 62 and 64, the hinge members 88 and 90 are forced inwardly into their respective slots 94 and 92. As shown in FIG. 11, as each hinge memher is moved inwardly of its slot, the curved portion of the prongs 106 strikes an adjacent wall of the slot, and the prongs are then moved in conformity with the formation of the slot to assume the position shown in the lowermost end of FIG. 11. In this position the penetrating edges of the prongs 106 are forced into intimate contact with the adjacent walls of the slots to prevent withdrawal of the hinge members from their respective slots. The hinge members are thus effectively locked in position within the slots 92 and 94 and are prevented from withdrawal therefrom by the interaction of the penetrating edges of the prongs 106 with the walls with which they engage.

It is seen that although the hinge assemblies 34 and 86 are mounted on boxes formed of different materials, the formation of the hinge assemblies and the prongs therein is substantially the same. Although not required, the finished box construction may be provided with a covering of any ornamental material. Interior puffs may also be employed as is utilized in conventional boxes known heretofore.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limiting to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a box construction, a top section, a bottom section interconnected to said top section, each of said sections including a flat wall of relatively soft material, and a hinge assembly interconnecting the flat walls of said sections in pivotal relation to provide for pivotal movement of said Sections relative to each other, said hinge assembly including a first hinge member secured to the fiat wall of said top section and a second hinge member pivotally interconnected to said first hinge member and secured to the flat wall of said bottom section, said hinge members each including a body portion out of which a plurality of prongs are individually blanked, each of said prongs of a hinge member including a first portion that is directed oppositely with respect to the location of the fiat wall against which the associated hinge member is adapted to be secured and a second portion joined to said first portion having a penetrating edge formed thereon that will enter the soft material of the flat wall on which the associated hinge member is mounted, said penetrating edge having a reducing taper defining a sharply formed end, said second portion being reversely bent with respect to said first portion and being directed toward the fiat wall against which the associated hinge member will be secured, and each penetrating edge of a prong being located generally co-planar with the body portion out of which the prong is blanked and being disposed in the blanked-out opening prior to the mounting of the hinge member on a fiat wall, wherein the body portion of each hinge member is located in flush relation on the flat wall on which it will be secured prior to movement of the penetrating edges of said prongs into said flat walls, the penetrating edges of said prongs being directed into said flat walls in embedding relation so as not to penetrate the outer surfaces of said fiat walls.

2. In a box construction as set forth in claim 1, the penetrating edges of some of said prongs being located adjacent the hinge axis of said hinge members, the penetrating edges of the remaining prongs being located adjacent to the outer edges of said hinge members.

3. In a box construction as set forth in claim 1, said box sections each including a rear wall having a slot for receiving a hinge member, the width of said slot being such as to cause the first portion of each prong to engage a side wall of the slot as the prong is introduced therein, wherein the penetrating edge of each prong is forced out- Wardly of the body portion and into engaging relation With a side wall of the slot opposite to that first named, wherein the hinge member located in the slot is prevented from being withdrawn therefrom.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,461,175 7/1923 Bicker 229-44 1,626,301 4/1927 Rhodes 22944 3,122,303 2/1964 Young 22944 JOSEPH R; LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

R. PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner. 

